Surname Petermair - Meaning and Origin
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Petermair: What does the surname Petermair mean?
The last name Petermair is of Germanic origin and comes from the combination of two words: Peters and mair.
The Peters part of the name is likely derived from the name of the Christian Apostle Peter, who was venerated in medieval Europe as the patron saint of fishermen.
The mair is likely derived from the old German word “mair”, which was used in the Middle Ages to refer to someone who had the authority or jurisdiction to settle disputes and to govern, or to describe a mayor.
Therefore, Petermair likely has its origins in the name of someone who was either a fisherman or a mayor.
The name Petermair has spread across Europe with different spellings, although the most popular variants are Petermayer, Petermeier and Petermann. This is especially true among families with origins in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Northern Italy.
Due to a lack of extensive historical records, it is not possible to trace the exact origins of the moniker beyond the Old Germanic period, although its popularity may be tied to Protestant migration to Northern Europe from the early 16th century onward.
Today, the surname is borne by at least 46,250 individuals across the world, making it a fairly common name.
Order DNA origin analysisPetermair: Where does the name Petermair come from?
The last name Petermair is not particularly common in the United States, but can be found in many parts of Europe. Petermair is a German last name, and is most commonly found in Austria. In recent years, however, due to economic and cultural migration, the name is becoming more widespread, with large numbers of people bearing the name now living in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and England.
It is difficult to estimate the exact number of people with the surname Petermair in Europe, as many census records are not comprehensive enough to provide an accurate number. However, it is safe to say that the name is quite common in Austria, with records showing that around 5,600 people with the surname were living in that country in the last decade. On the other hand, in Germany, the number of people with the name is much smaller—there are only around 2,000 individuals recorded with the name.
Overall, the last name Petermair is mostly common in German-speaking parts of Europe, but with increasing migration, it is becoming more commonplace in neighboring countries. In the United States, the name is relatively rare, as for most Americans, it is difficult to trace this name back to its origins in Europe.
Variations of the surname Petermair
The Petermair surname is derived from the Middle German word "petermeler," which loosely translates to "Peter's marlers," meaning someone who quarries and cuts stone for building. Variants of this surname include Petermeir, Petermer, Petermeier, Petremayer, Pottermayer, Petermayer, Pietermair, Petermann and Petreman.
The spellings for the surname can also be broken down further. For instance, Petermair can also be spelled as Peetermair, Pietermair, Pittermair, Pettermair, Petermaiere, Petermaiw, Petermaiwer, Petermaiwes, Petermaie, Pettermaiwes and Pietermaire.
Variations of the surname stemming from the different languages and regions of Europe can also be found. Petermair in Germany will be spelled differently than Petermair in France, as is the case with the surnames Pierremaire, Petylemair, and Pietrymair. Similarly, the Italian variations Petromayr, Petramayer and Petramoyr can be found, while in Scotland, Petersmair is the most common spelling.
The surnames that derive from or are similar to Petermair can also be found in the US. Peters may be the Americanized form of the surname, with Petrisko and Piattsmair being other similar names derived from the original spelling.
In conclusion, many spellings, variants and surnames that derive from the original Petermair surname exist throughout Europe and the US.
Famous people with the name Petermair
- Patrick Petermair, a former football player from Austria who played for SK Rapid Wien and Besa Kavajë
- Tom Petermair, an Austrian artist and photographer
- Richard Petermair, a former Swiss football player who played for Grasshopper Club Zurich
- Robert Petermair, an Austrian artist, sculptor, and photographer
- Werner Petermair, a Swiss composer, author, and educationist
- Gregor Petermair, a German politician
- Robert Petermair, a German philosopher and historian
- Elisabeth Petermair, an Austrian opera singer
- Hans Petermair, an Austrian former active athlete
- Bernd Petermair, a former Austrian footballer who played for various clubs, including Grazer AK and the Austrian national football team